I visited Mt. Takao and prayed Tengu, long-nosed demon-like beings, to end-up the pandemic of COVID19, among most of the popular places in Tokyo were closed because of the third emergency declaration of COVID19.

The place gained the Michelin three stars several years ago and becomes popular with foreigners as a place where we can enjoy the nature and religious facilities only one-hour trip from the heart of Tokyo.

In the future, I may guide foreign guests, so I wanted to check many walking paths as much as possible. Takao-san Yakuo-in, a temple of syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism, on the top of the mountain, in the precincts, the Yakuou Nyorai, the Buddha of Healings, enshrined in the main hall, Izuna Daigongen (great incarnation) is enshrined in the main shrine, and Tengu, strongly connected worship sacred mountain, is guarding all facility of the temple.

It looks very difficult to explain such complexity in clearly and briefly.

But I enjoyed by strolling around the well-maintained promenade and enjoyed the rich nature and wonderful scenery, without thinking such difficult things.

The broth of the tororo-soba, buckwheat noodle with grated yam, on the mountaintop soba shop was a little thick, but it was just right for a sweaty and tired body.

Here are some of the wonderful flowers I met along the mountain paths.

Iris Japonica/ Fringed iris/ シャガ 著莪
This purple and yellow spotted on fringed pale blue purple flower is the most comonly seen flowr in Mt. Takao at this time. It has botnical name “Iris Japonica but native in China.

Viola yezoensis f. discolor/ Mt. Takao viola/ タカオスミレ 高尾菫
This viola species is found at wet and half shady forest edges along streams. The Japanese name Takao-sumire literally meaning Mt. Takao viola was named because it was first found in Mt. Takao.

Calanthe discolor/ Calanthe Orchid/ エビネラン 海老根蘭
One of the popular wild orchid on the ground in Japan, there are many colors of flowers.However wild ones are declinded in thses days.

Ajuga nipponensis/ Bugleweed/ ジュウニヒトエ 十二単
Japanese name “Junihitoe” means an elegant kimono with 12 silk layers of Japanese medieval aristocratic women’s outfits.

Asarum tamaense/ Wild ginger of Tama hills/ タマノカンアオイ 多摩の寒葵
This plant, growing Tama hills area, has bell-shaped purple to brown-purple flowers with a test cylinder shape center, under a dull glimed glowing heart-shaped leaf.

Monotropastrum humile/ ギンリョウソウ 銀竜草
It is a saprophytic plant (grow on leaf soils and grow with fungi to break down its nutrients), the entire plant is white without lack of chlorophyll.

Valeriana flaccidissima/ ツルカノコソウ 蔓鹿の子草
This small flower, which resembles a gypsophila, belongs the same group of Patrinia.The Japanese name Tsuru-kanoko-so literally meaning vine fawn plants was named because the shape of flowers from above resemble kanoko-shibori, a cloth dyed in a dapple pattern.

Viola grypoceras/ タチツボスミレ 立壺菫
One of the most popular violet in Japan blooming in spring with light violet or white flowers.

Glechoma hederacea subsp. grandis/ Ground-ivy/ カキドオシ
The Japanese name Kaki-dosi literally meaning going through fence was named because it grows through fences to the nextdoor gardens. Flowers are tubular lip-shaped and about 1..5 to 2..5 cm long. The color of flowers is light purple to red and the largest lower petal with purple dotted patterns.

Anemone flaccida/ Wind flower/ ニリンソウ
Anemone flaccida is a small, mountain native, species of Anemone couple of white cup-like flowers with white anthers